Banana Nut Granola Bars

I have really been enjoying bars lately because they are such an easy way to create a perfect healthy and portable snack.  Buying bars all the time can cost a lot of money and it can be hard to find a gluten free and vegan bar.  Plus, I like to make sure my bars are high in protein and low in unnatural sugars.  I came across this recipe on Pinterest.  With all the nuts, seeds, and fruit these bars are definitely heart healthy!

This recipe was adapted from here:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 mashed bananas
• 1/2 cup whole almonds
• 4 large Medjool dates, pitted
• 1/4 cup dried cherries
• 1/4 cup dried coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1 cup gf rolled oats

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a loaf pan or 8x8" pan with parchment paper.  Set aside.
2. In a small, combine peanut butter and mashed bananas and stir to incorporate.  (You may need to heat up the peanut butter before combining it in with the mashed bananas for easier strirring.)
3. In a food processor, coarsely chop almonds, dates, and cherries.
4. Add in the coconut flakes and pulse for a couple seconds, just to incorporate it into the mixture.
5. Transfer mixture into a medium bowl and mix in the pumpkin seeds and oats.  Then, fold in the peanut butter and banana mixture.
6. Press the batter into the prepared pan.  Bake for 20-30 minutes. (Mine had to bake for the longer time, I think because my bananas were on the big side.)
7. Let cool completely before cutting.  Then, wrap individually in wax paper for healthy snacks that are ready to-go!

Using an 8x8" pan, I made 12 bars with this recipe.  I stored 5 bars in the fridge for the week in a ziploc bag.  The other bars I put in a ziploc bag in the freezer to keep them fresh.  I plan on replacing the bars in the fridge at the end of the week so I'll have more ready to-go snacks.  Of course the bars in the freezer would also be good if you plan on taking one with you but not eating it immediately; it will be thawed out by the time you're ready to eat it!

The batter before baking

I loved how you could taste every flavor throughout the entire bar with every single bite! 

Based on 1 bar:
Approximately 200 calories and 6.5g protein.